Prime Placement Solutionshttp://primeplacementsolutions.com
Growing your business with exceptional peopleWed, 17 Jan 2018 20:18:38 +0000en-UShourly1Tips on Interviewinghttp://primeplacementsolutions.com/tips-on-interviewing/
Wed, 08 Apr 2015 13:50:01 +0000http://primeplacementsolutions.com/?p=49Here are a few reminders for your interview to make you as successful as possible. You may have heard or used some of this before but just in case… a refresher for your perusal.

Don’t get caught in the “tell me about yourself question”. The key is to have the interviewer give you as much detail about the position as possible so that you will know how to answer based on your qualifications that fit the employer’s needs. You can answer with “I know that you want a ——–but in order to make sure that we are both on the same wavelength, what are the primary duties and responsibilities of the position?”

• What is the primary responsibility of this position? The answer will tell you not only if you can do the job, but if you want to do the job. Answer with a few examples of your accomplishments in this area.

• What are the short and long term goals set for the person in this position?

• What are the obstacles that may prevent me from reaching those goals?

• Write out any questions that you may have before the interview.

• Ask “If I perform well, where can I go in the company?”

• Avoid compensation and benefit questions. Side step by answering “Compensation is important but the opportunity to improve my career path is my #1 priority at this time”or “I would like as much as the position will pay” or ” I am currently earning—-. Although I would like an increase, I don’t know enough about the opportunity to answer that fairly”.

• Summarize what you’ve done that ties in with the new position and ask “Do I have the qualifications you’re looking for?” Then don’t say anything and let them answer.

• If they say “I am looking at other people, you say, “how do my qualifications match the people you’re considering?”

• Ask for the Job!

• Your number 1 priority is to get the offer; your #2 priority is to know the next step.

]]>Ten Tips on Improving Your Resumehttp://primeplacementsolutions.com/ten-tips-on-improving-your-resume/
Wed, 08 Apr 2015 13:48:55 +0000http://primeplacementsolutions.com/?p=47Today’s business environment is so competitive that most resumes receive an initial 15-second glance. To stand out from the crowd, your resume should illustrate your accomplishments which include items such as productivity increases and cost savings for which you were responsible. The resume should demonstrate (by bullet point) your skills which prospective employers are seeking. Common mistakes that quickly knock a candidate out of the running can easily be avoided. The following tips will help create a resume that stands out. These tips will cover the kind of information that should be included and how the resume should look for best results.

1. Sell your skills: The prospective employer wants to see results. Use percentages and numbers to show increases in activity or decreases and cost savings for which you were responsible. Outline the actions you took and emphasize the resulting benefits. In today’s business environment it is also important to emphasize your computer skills as well as additional certifications received beyond the typical education.

2. Target your resume: Vague, general resumes that cover several areas of specialization often get lost among the crowd. It is important to tailor the resume to each position you pursue. It is also a good idea to highlight your specific industry experience when it is relevant.

3. Use action verbs: Descriptive words — such as implemented, organized, prepared, streamlined, organized and established – add power to your sentences. Begin each sentence with an action verb and remember to use the proper tense. (e.g. If describing a position or task you previously completed, you should end the action verb with “ed” as in “prepared”. If describing a current position or project, you should end the action verb in the present tense as in “prepare”).

4. Be concise: A 10 page resume will not even receive the typical 15-second glance. Best results are achieved with a one to two page resume. A resume which is short and to the point covering the pertinent information will often pass the 15-second glance.

5. Make it inviting: Capture the reader’s interest by showing them what they want to see. Emphasize your skills which you believe they are looking for. A resume with too much information may seem forbidding to the reader. Make deletions where necessary in order to achieve a readable product.

6. Be complete: A good way to emphasize your professionalism is to give complete information. Spell out all abbreviations, names of schools, companies, organizations and titles.

7. Proofread and edit: You should always use spell check on your word processor, however, it is important not to rely 100% on it. The spell check will not display words which are actually spelled correctly, but do not fit into the sentence. (e.g. hear used in a sentence which should have been here.)

8. Do not include personal statistics: It is no longer considered professional to include information about age, marital status, height, weight or health on a resume. Requesting this information from candidates violates anti-discrimination laws, and most organizations will be pleased that you did not include that information.

9. Create a visually appealing resume: You can emphasize important points by using the computer to create italics, underlines, boldface type or different fonts. It is also important to check the spacing and margins used for the document. Create the document which will pass the 15-second test, but remember to keep it professional.

10. Ask for others opinions: A second opinion can be more objective and make suggestions which you might not have considered.

]]>The Truth About Counter-Offershttp://primeplacementsolutions.com/the-truth-about-counter-offers/
Wed, 08 Apr 2015 00:17:59 +0000http://primeplacementsolutions.com/?p=32Congratulations! You’ve just accepted an offer for a new and exciting opportunity. Now it’s time to inform your current employer of your decision. In most cases, when you decide that it’s time to go, it’s not the time that your company wants you to leave. Because you are a highly qualified professional, they will not want to lose you. As well, it is natural to resist change and avoid disruption, and your present employer is no exception. Your employer may attempt to make a counter-offer to keep you from leaving, even though you have accepted a job elsewhere. As long as you haven’t started your new position, the company and your boss are going to woo you. You may be seduced with more money; you may get, or at least be promised, a promotion. The appeal will be emotional in nature. There will be an apology made in the form of not knowing of your dissatisfaction. Your boss may even enlist a senior vice president or the president to help convince you that you’re making a mistake. It is almost guaranteed that you will hear the following in some form or another:

• “We have plans for you that will come to fruition the first of next month – it’s my fault for not telling you.”

• “I shouldn’t do this, but I’m going to let you in on some confidential information. We’re in the progress of reorganizing and it will mean a significant promotion for you in six months.”

• “We’ll match your new offer and even better it by ‘x’ percent. This raise was supposed to go in to effect the first of next quarter anyway, but because of your fine record we will start it immediately.”

A counter-offer can be a very flattering experience. Your emotions may be swayed; you may lose your objectivity; you are going to be tempted to stay; “buyers remorse” will set in – that apprehension of change will urge you to reconsider your decision. Accept the counter-offer only if you can answer “no” to all the following:

1. Did I make the right decision to seek other employment because I felt a new environment would provide me with the opportunity to advance my career?

2. If I decide to stay after giving notice, will my loyalty be suspect and will this affect my chance for advancement in the future?

3. If my loyalty is questioned, is there the possibility that I will be in an early lay-off or be terminated if business slows down?

5. The raise I was offered is above the guideline for my job. Does this mean they are “buying time” until a replacement can be found within the acceptable compensation guidelines for my job?

6. I got the counter-offer because I resigned. Will I always have to threaten to quit each time I want to advance?

Logic Must Prevail

As a professional, your career decisions must be made objectively; free of the emotional pressures you are likely to experience. Others will try to influence you, but sometimes only you know things are not right a will not get better. How do you explain a “gut feeling”? Are you expecting your company to be sorry to see you leave and to make some attempt to keep you? Their response should be considered flattering, but it’s beset with pitfalls too numerous to risk. It’s up to you to end your relationship as professionally. Write a letter expressing your thanks for the opportunity they extended and telling them you enjoyed the relationship, but that your decision is irrevocable. Put it in your own words and mail it or personally hand it to your immediate supervisor. Be pleasant but firm. Your new employer is anxious to have you start, so remember, two weeks’ notice is almost always sufficient. A counter-offer is a belated confirmation of the contributions you’ve made. Move ahead to your new job knowing you’ve made the right decision. After all, if you don’t look after your future, who will?

11 REASONS FOR NOT ACCEPTING A counter-offer

1. What type of company do you work for if you have to threaten to resign before they give you what you are worth?

2. Where is the money for the counter-offer coming from? Is it your next raise early? All companies have strict wage and salary guidelines which must be followed.

3. Your company will immediately start looking for a new person at a cheaper price.

4. You have now made your employer aware that you are unhappy. From this day on, your loyalty will always be in question.

5. When promotion time comes around, your employer will remember who was loyal, and who wasn’t.

6. When times get tough, your employer will begin the cutback with you.

7. The same circumstances that now cause you to consider a change will repeat themselves in the future; even if you accept a counter-offer.

8. Statistics show that if you accept a counter-offer, the probability of voluntarily leaving in six months or being let go within one year is extremely high (approximately 80+%). Each day you take off they feel you are looking for a job. (In the employer’s mind, there is a question of your loyalty to the company).

9. Accepting a counter-offer is an insult to your intelligence and a blow to your personal pride; knowing that you were bought back.

10. Once the word gets out, the relationship that you now enjoy with your coworkers will never be the same. You will lose the personal satisfaction of peer group acceptance.